Meet Adam McNicholas – the baby in this photo, and the marvellous man running Paris marathon on April 3 in aid of SCT.
Adam’s Father sadly died last year after decades of alcohol dependency and he hopes that through telling his story, that others experiencing the same difficulties his Dad did, may “find a way out.”
Adam only recently became aware of Spitalfields Crypt Trust. He was wandering through Shoreditch after a friend’s wedding and stumbled upon Restoration Station, our upcycling furniture restoration project – where he learned all about our work.
The charity [SCT] really struck a cord with him as last year his Father sadly died aged 57 after decades of alcohol dependency.
The charity [SCT] really struck a cord with him as last year his Father sadly died aged 57 after decades of alcohol dependency.
Adam hopes that through telling his story he “might prevent someone, somewhere from passing ‘the point of no return’” the way his father did.
On his JustGiving page Adam writes a heartfelt account of his experience and describes his father’s as “a life cut short. Worse perhaps, a life not lived to its fullest.” He describes the way he and his family witnessed his “gradual but steady decline.”
Adam hopes that through telling his story he “might prevent someone, somewhere from passing ‘the point of no return’” the way his father did.
When he discovered SCT, Adam “hadn’t actually decided [he] was going to fundraise for the marathon.”
However after a chat with “the guy at Restoration Station” (we’re assuming he means Bernard), Adam decided that he “wanted to carry on with a bit of a purpose” and began fundraising for us.
To Adam, running is a “healthy coping mechanism.” He started training at the end of last summer when his father was unwell.
Adam told SCT “He went to live with my brother and I looked after him at the weekend. He couldn’t live on his own, had bankrupt himself so I started running and swimming as a break.
When he discovered SCT, Adam “hadn’t actually decided [he] was going to fundraise for the marathon.
“There are lots of people dependent on alcohol… I hope in sharing this story that others charting a course of reliance leading to dependency, leading to delusion might find another way out. Because surely, always, the future is better than the end.
“I’ve been bowled over by how much money people have given. I’ve had tonnes of really nice messages from people I haven’t seen in ages.”
I’ve been bowled over by how much money people have given. I’ve had tonnes of really nice messages from people I haven’t seen in ages.
It’s nice to have something positive coming out of a very difficult year.”
A HUGE thank you to Adam for all of his efforts, and for sharing his story!
If you wish to support him in his incredible endeavour please visit Adam’s JustGiving page.
Thank you to Sarah Barratt for this interview.
